Three people are dead and at least 14 more were injured in an overnight shooting after a gunman opened fire on crowds in Downtown Austin in the early hours of the morning. The gunman, not yet named, was shot dead by officers on the scene.
A 9:30am police briefing brought more information. The shooter apparently circled a large SUV around Buford’s, a West Sixth Street beer garden, then rolled down the window and shot at patrons on Buford’s patio with a pistol. The shooter then drove eastbound on Sixth Street, parked on Wood Street, and exited the vehicle with a rifle. As the shooter walked east, Austin Police, already stationed on the more bustling end of Sixth Street, which holds the city’s highest concentration of bars and music venues, were headed toward the shooter, and shot him dead at an intersection.
Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI San Antonio office, which is partnering on the investigation, said that they were looking at the shootings as “potentially an act of terrorism” but declined to say if it was domestic or international. No bombs were found in the shooter’s vehicle.
All parties at the morning press conference praised the short response time by first responders, pointing to the coordinated presence and training of APD, EMS, and fire in Austin’s entertainment district. Police and paramedics arrived within a minute of the first emergency call.
“That saved multiple lives,” said Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis.
Acknowledging how many questions there still are to be answered, Mayor Kirk Watson stressed the need to balance transparency with an active investigation.
“This is an ongoing investigation. We are going to make sure that the public has information as thorough and as rapidly as is professional and appropriate as we continue with this investigation.”
Families who have been unable to connect with missing loved ones can call the victim services unit at 512/974-5037.
APD is encouraging anyone who has video or photographs from the shooting to submit evidence here. You may also call Austin Police at 512/974-TIPS. You may submit your tip(s) anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting http://austincrimestoppers.org or call 512/472-8477.
This is a developing story. Read more in next week’s print issue.